Sorry guys - I have been asked to carve for a gallery exhibit in a couple of weeks so I have put the drummer to one side to get this piece done - I will post pics of this one soon - I have actually knocked out a couple of other tikis during the carving of the drummer - these had deadlines (birthdays etc) so I always give that sort of work priority. Drummer gets a couple of taps each week. I still have two weeks until the drummer has to be done for handover at my annual Luau. Ahh the pressure! But thanks for checking!
_________________Tiki Beat by Marcus
www.tikibeat.com.au

This is the reason behind my slackness in posting of late - finally here - will be back on track next week - Tiki Beat Annual Luau next weekend - cant wait to kick back and have a few drinks with Hewey.

The Vinyl Frontier at Petrie Terrace will be overrun with artists and their robots from
Friday October 27 for “Not Just Another Giant Monster Robot Show.” This is the
second in the “Adventures in Lowbrow” series of shows to help promote and
support local outsider and pop surrealist art.
Tikis, velvet paintings, mixed media, photography, video and sculpture will turn
robotic in October when local Brisbane and overseas artists show their talent.
Marcus Thorn, renowned local tiki carver, will reinvent the tiki genre with a new,
improved tiki-robot to be unveiled on the opening night. Anyone who enjoyed the
Zoo’s recent Night of the Tiki Terrors with Wiseacre will have seen some of Marcus’
proficient work with a tiki. He dressed the stage and carved a tiki on the night. His tikis are much sought after by surf shops and fans of Polynesian pop and his tikirobot will be a popular exhibit at the show.
Gold Coast black velvet artist Baron von Weirdo, following in the tradition of Leeteg, will bring a Polynesian twist to all things robotic. He has been the leading black velvet artist in Australia since the 1960’s and has dragged himself away from more profitable interstate commissions to exhibit at the Vinyl Frontier.
Mimi Kersting, a U.S. original , now residing in Brisbane, will lend her special 50s glamour with endearingly vivid, pertinently captioned and perfectly executed robot themed graphics. Think Robbie the robot meets Bettie Page! Mimi’s last exhibition at Metro Arts was a big success and her old fashioned oils on board were snapped up.
Chris Osborne, whose photographs of Brisbane composers inspired us at the
Powerhouse last year, will combine his skills with photography and collage to reinvent the terror and thrills of robots. Chris' promotional and publicity photographs have appeared in everything from The Australian and The Courier Mail, to Brisbane News and the Woodford Folk Festival programs.
Leon van de Graaff will be contributing robot sculptures like the gorgeous specimen
in the photograph.
A host of other Brisbane artists will be contributing to the event. Opening night will include a dj, drinks and retro snacks for all.
Lowbrow art’s popularity has been growing through the visual subcultures of tattoo
art, underground comics, custom cars, graffiti, skateboarding and the tiki and retro revival. The work isn’t lowbrow in execution just the sources of inspiration are.
The exhibition opens 27th October and continues until November 5. For more
information call The Vinyl Frontier (5/32 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, 4000) on (07)
3367 0556

hey marcus,
sorry didn't make it to the opening night but checked out the show today - some great stuff in there but your carving is amazing!! you should stick some pics up here pronto so those who are not fortunate enough to see it in person can admire it on the 'net.
cheers.

I spent almost a couple of days with Marcus and he didnt carve ONCE. and I saw extremely little evidence of "other" tikis... I did, however hear someone mention a luau, and I saw Yvette make copious amounts of cocktails for a mass of people, and Marcus had numerous beers... No wonder hes not carving much... As Jay would say, you're spending too much time thinking of tiki-land!

Admittedly, many of those copious cocktails found themselves into my glass... Nice work behind the bar Yvette! and i got to sleep in the tiki room. just dont put the puffer fish next to the alarm clock, gets messy.

I would post some pics If I didnt leave my camera in my brothers car... Lets just say the night was TOPS!

Thanks for the invite, hope to bring the girl back next year (assuming Im invited...)

After much time spent thinking about tiki land I am back - I have evidence of Hewey being present at the Luau and practically glued to the bar. He did not come in the promised coconut bra and skirt - for which we are eternally grateful..hehehe - This photo is Hewey with fellow pinstripers Lazy J and Rob Walker. I think that the cocktails may have affected Heweys memory or eyesight as he did the grand tour of the Tiki Beat workshop - and has seen the Drummer in real life and a half finished Ku..I am sure he will start getting flashbacks of this soon.

On 2006-11-06 01:35, tiki beat by marcus thorn wrote:I think that the cocktails may have affected Heweys memory or eyesight as he did the grand tour of the Tiki Beat workshop - and has seen the Drummer in real life and a half finished Ku..I am sure he will start getting flashbacks of this soon.

I think it might have been the exotic voodoo drums on vinyl played by DJ Mr Mai Tai (who did an excellent job).

And what about the wedding Marcus? That was pretty damn special, but Ill leave the details to you

The Wedding?? WEDDING? No Wonder I see you all drinking Champaign(?Sp?). I'm saying to myself, "Strange that there are not Rum drinks, only Champaign??
Another little Secret you're holding back? Sounds delightful.
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OK here are some progress pics of the Flying Eye Tiki - exhibited at Vinyl Frontier Gallery last week.

Ben, my daughter (I guess the big secret is out yes I am old enough to have a daughter old enough to get married she is 21 - scary!) asked last year at the Luau if she could get married at this years Luau - and we had a fantastic Pirate wedding before the Luau and that kicked off this years Luau - you will have to wait for pics of the wedding - photographer has gone away for a couple of weeks. There was rum and cocktails aplenty all through the night, but one must be traditional and toast the bride and groom with some champas
_________________Tiki Beat by Marcus
www.tikibeat.com.au

Thanks Marcus, Excellent job, marrying off your daughter to a nice young man, but more excellencence on this tiki. You are the one who has the full grasp on the 3rd dimension thingy as I'm sure you dream in 3d too. Have you tried carving stone and Jade? You should try it, it's Harmlessss, Tryy it you will Love it.
Thanks for bringing us up to date.
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